Saikyou Mahoushi no Inton Keikaku (LN) - Volume 3 - Chapter 12

Twelfth Chapter 

Visit From the Past 

Shortly before confusion beset the Institute... 

With afternoon training looming ahead of them, Alice was making her way back to the laboratory after lunch with Tesfia. 

The sun was right above them, and while the temperature was being artificially manipulated, it was likely going to get warmer today. 

Lately, Alice would repeatedly recall her past and lose spirit. Because of that, she didn’t have much of an appetite either. 

When she saw Tesfia, who’d returned from her home, her heart was shaken. In the past she’d have a warm home to return to, and a welcoming family, and remembering that gave her a sense of grief she had no way to release. Physically she was perfectly healthy, but mentally she was in a horrible state. 

But there was a saving grace. 

Alice still had vague memories of that person. That girl who had been like a sister to her back then. However, she couldn’t clearly recall those memories. 

That was especially tantalizing to Alice... Why couldn’t she remember? And what did the girl say to her when they parted ways? 

She couldn’t accurately recall what exactly had happened due to her chaotic memories. In her memories, the girl had always shown her such a warm smile. 

Alice was currently in a daze, and she’d even forgotten that Tesfia was walking by her side. 

As she dug through her memories, she could see the girl’s smile turn into a heartrending frown, and it suddenly stopped short as if her memories had run out of film. 

These past few days, Alice had spent all of her time, waking and sleeping, thinking of why that was. The girl in her memories... her expression was full of grief, and it felt like she was begging for Alice’s forgiveness. 

It never happened in reality, but in Alice’s memories a sad look appeared on the girl’s face as her smile disappeared. 

But Alice didn’t know why she’d show such an expression. After all, she had saved Alice. 

In that facility filled with adults in lab coats, she was the only one who’d gotten close to her. It was thanks to her that Alice hadn’t been filled with nothing but hatred. Which was why she couldn’t allow herself to forget her. 

What filled Alice’s mind wasn’t the present, but the past. Her feelings were running amok with nowhere to go, dragging her down into a bottomless swamp. In order to crawl out, Alice desperately tried to imagine that girl and the happiness she had felt to supplement her hazy memories. Even now, pain suddenly ran through her eyes, and she covered one of them with her hand. She’d had plenty of rest, but it appeared her mind was never at ease. 

Suddenly, she recalled Tesfia was by her side, and removed her hand from her face in order to pretend like everything was normal... and that’s when it happened. 

It was like she was dreaming. 

Like she’d been granted a miracle. 

Because when Alice removed her hand, she saw a young woman. It can’t be, she thought to herself, and held her breath. 

In front of her was exactly what she’d been looking for... the girl from her memories was standing there. 

She had a calm smile, just like in the past, as she gazed at Alice. 

There was no way Alice would mistake that chestnut-colored hair and curiously-colored eyes. 

Her bangs were longer and covered half her face, and she looked a bit haggard, but Alice’s intuition told her that this was without a doubt the same person. 

She wasn’t an illusion. She was standing right in front of Alice now. As proof of that, she was taller than she was in Alice’s memories, more adult, with a calm atmosphere to her. 

“... M-Melissa?” 

Alice had struggled so much to recall how the girl looked. But when she saw her, she could easily remember her name and connect her current appearance with the past. 

Alice spoke her name with conviction. And the young woman in front of her moved her mouth, muttering her name, backing that intuition up. 

In that moment—Alice froze and her eyes opened wide. The fragmented memories that she’d been unable to differentiate quickly formed a vivid image, reviving her memories. 

All the suffering she’d been through, and the small amounts of joy. Among the countless painful experiences, that small happiness had definitely existed. Her nostalgic memories took physical form as tears came to her eyes. 

She wanted to run to her right away, but she recalled the images of the girl looking sad. But most of all, it was just too sudden... she didn’t know what she would say to her. 

That’s when a hand gently pushed on her back. 

It took a second for Alice to realize that it was Tesfia. However, it gave her an opportunity, and she stumbled her way forward. Once she had momentum on her side, the rest was simple. 

Alice wiped the corners of her eyes, giving thanks to her best friend before taking off running. Her body was driven ahead by her heart, and her legs made a beeline for Melissa. 

After hesitating for a moment—Melissa gently held Alice’s shoulders after she’d embraced her. 

“... Sis.” 

The word Alice unconsciously spoke made Melissa tense up for an instant. She suddenly poured strength into the hands that embraced Alice. 

Assuming Melissa’s reaction was due to surprise, Alice blushed and corrected herself, calling her Melissa instead. She then looked at her again. When she did, the strength in those hands was gone and the smile on Melissa’s face was exactly the same as it had been in her memories. 

“Alice... we finally meet again. You’ve gotten so big.” 

“And you’ve become so beautiful, Melissa. You’re already an adult...” Alice took a step back and scratched her cheek. “You really were like a sister to me back then.” 

“Heh, that’s true... but it really has been so long, Alice.” Melissa’s soft smile was simply beautiful, and she gently patted Alice’s head, taking care not to mess up her hairdo. “Your friend left... was that okay?” 

“Yes, it was fine. But if possible I’d like to introduce you to her later. She’s called Fia... I mean Tesfia. She’s my very kind and precious friend,” Alice said with a big smile, and Melissa responded with a beaming one of her own. 

“Yes, gladly,” Melissa said, before a serious expression appeared on her face. “... If we ever get a chance.” 

“What did you say?” 

“Ah, it’s nothing.” 

Alice tilted her head in confusion, which Melissa smiled at, bringing their discussion to a temporary close. 

As the sun shone down on them, the two made their way to a bench on a slope in front of the Institute’s main building. 

On the way, Melissa explained what had happened since they last saw each other, and what she was doing here. 

Alice listened, and talked about what had happened to her as well. Eventually the conversation became one-sided with Alice continuing to speak, even more so once they sat down on the bench. 

Alice talked about all of her encounters and what she’d experienced. No matter how much she spoke, she didn’t run out of things to talk about. That was probably because she wanted Melissa to know everything about her. When she thought about it, Melissa was practically family to her. 

She spoke of the joys and feelings she’d experienced during their time apart. And Melissa warmly listened to all of it like a sister. 

Alice thought to herself that there was no time that couldn’t be made up for. There was no way that a few hours would be enough to describe several years of experiences. But Alice still desperately tried to share a condensed version of it. She spoke of how she’d met Tesfia shortly after getting out of the facility, and how she’d met Alus and Loki after enrolling at the Institute. Of course, there were a lot of things about Alus that she couldn’t reveal. 

“Ah!! I’m sorry. I’ve been doing all the talking.” An hour must have passed by now. There was still so much Alice wanted to talk about, but she wanted to tell Melissa this one thing before she wrapped up. “But you know, I’m really happy now. Every day is so much fun.” 

“I see. That’s great, Alice... I’m happy for you.” 

Alice had a smile so bright it rivaled the afternoon sun, seeing that Melissa looked visibly relieved and was happy for her from the bottom of her heart. “Say, Melissa. What happened to you after that? You gave me a summary before... but can you tell me the details?” 

So much time had passed since they parted ways at the facility. There was so much she wanted to hear, and so much she wanted to tell. 

But instead of answering her immediately, Melissa hung her head down. In the process, Alice saw it. As a breeze passed through and lifted her hair, she saw the scar underneath. 

Why hadn’t she noticed it before? Or maybe she had, and had just pretended not to see it. 

Suddenly Melissa returned to her senses and gave Alice a somewhat awkward smile. That smile reminded her of the sad expression she’d seen Melissa wear in the replay of her memories. Alice felt like the distance between them was growing larger after having shrunk, making her swallow, and clench her fist. 

“... Alice, make sure you listen to what I’m about to tell you.” 

With a serious expression, Melissa turned her head back to face Alice. She held Alice’s smaller hand with her own. Alice wasn’t sure what was going on, but nodded at her words. 

“Alice, go to the military and have them take you into custody, okay?” 

“—!! What... Why would you say that?” Anxiety appeared on Alice’s face at those ominous words. At the same time, the afternoon sun dimmed as clouds blocked out the sun. 

“Godma Barhong... he hasn’t given up yet...” 

When Melissa mentioned that name, the lid on the dark and unfair memories of Alice’s past was lifted. She could clearly feel her heart beating faster. 

“Nooo!” 

Her body trembling, Alice let out a short scream as if she was rejecting her past itself. 

She then covered her mouth with shaking hands. But Melissa put her own hands over hers. The warmth in them didn’t just cover her hands, but embraced even the pain in her heart. If she wanted to shake them off she could easily do so, but Alice just barely managed to restrain the urge. 

With trembling lips, she spoke to Melissa. “Can we not... Let’s talk about something more fun... we haven’t seen each other in so long.” 

She simply wanted to escape from reality. After all, they’d finally met again and had a chance to talk. Yet the person in front of her was trying to drag her back to the past. Why would she do that? Alice just didn’t understand. 

Melissa sorrowfully shook her head, looking straight into Alice’s eyes. “It’s okay... I’m going to end it. Bring all of it to a stop. And I’ll protect you, Alice, so please listen to what I say. Hurry to the military and have them take you somewhere safe... okay? Then we can be...” 

She didn’t finish her sentence. She could feel some strange noise in her mind. Her sight grew hazy and, though she didn’t know it, she’d gone completely pale. 

Alice came back to her senses, squeezing Melissa’s hands and worriedly peering at her face. “What’s the matter, Melissa...?” 

As the noise ran through Melissa’s mind, she was forcibly made aware that she could no longer live in the light like Alice. She could only ever watch on as people were turned into experiments. Her weakness was her sin. She could never leave them behind to save herself. 

There was only one way to save the boys and girls that had been turned into experiments after all... She shook her head, covered in cold sweat, trying to tell Alice something important. 

She knew the military would move tomorrow. That’s why Alice should wait there... while it all came to an end. It wouldn’t be long now. Just a little more, and she would wake up from this nightmare. 

She was convinced of that, once she reunited with Alice and saw her smile. Melissa would live up to her words, and protect Alice. She’d already made her decision to start over, so that she could stand by Alice’s side. 

Alice was puzzled by her strange behavior. “You won’t leave me alone, right? We’ll be able to stay together, won’t we? We can meet whenever we want... right, Melissa?” 

Melissa wanted to nod at Alice. But not yet... she desperately struggled to get her words out. “It’ll be fine. It won’t be long before we can see each other whenever we want. That’s why I want you to stay somewhere safe until then... entrust yourself to the military. I’m sure that man from the facility would take care of you. Do you still remember his name?” 

Alice nodded. She didn’t know anyone in the military as helpful as him. He’d taken pity on her small self and explained the entire situation to her, despite it being forbidden to do so. 

She’d never once forgotten about him. So she nodded once more with a serious expression, because she felt like if she didn’t, Melissa would disappear somewhere far away. 

“I’ll do what you say. But before that... can we discuss this with Al, the boy I told you about, first? Besides, he might be able to help you with your circumstances too. No, I’m sure he’ll help.” 

“I see. So you trust him.” 

“Yes, and I’m sure that Fia... that red-haired girl that was with us before, and dear Loki will help too. That’s why...” 

However, this time Melissa wordlessly shook her head. “I’m sorry, Alice.” 

Alice responded with sorrow at her answer. “Melissa, please. Try talking with Al at least once... Please?” 

She felt like an unavoidable separation was approaching. In order to stop that, she desperately spoke out and deeply bowed. Honey-colored hair landed on Melissa’s hand, and Alice rested her forehead there. 

Melissa felt time slow down, as she let out a sigh. She suddenly embraced Alice’s head, resting her own head on Alice’s shoulder. “... I’m sorry, Alice. And thank you.” 

Alice slowly raised her head, as Melissa gently whispered that in her ear. “T-Then...?” 

“I understand. But I really don’t have much time because I secretly snuck out... I’m sure I’ll be found soon.” 

“Then let’s go right now, Melissa!” Alice got up from the bench in a hurry, pulling at Melissa’s hand as she did so. 

Melissa peered at Alice’s face and realized what a strange turn things had taken. She’d come here to warn her, to tell her to run away. After that, she would leave Alice’s side. 

Yet when she was finally face to face with her, her determination was thrown for a loop. She knew it in her head, but she couldn’t keep the feelings in her heart down... her lingering attachment kept her legs locked in place. 

She’d been the one who had really been saved in that facility. Not being able to do anything was painful. And now Alice was trying to save her again. Which Melissa was ready to rely on. 

The hand pulling on her hand was soft, yet powerful. Like it was telling her that it would never let go again. 

I decided to protect her. But now Alice is trying to save someone like me again... 

The next moment— 

An alarm rang out across the Institute. 

When the order to evacuate came, the Institute grounds got very busy. 

“—!!” 

That was a sign that some kind of danger was approaching the Institute. And its identity was soon revealed. 

Light was pouring down from above, that was without a doubt born from mana. 

When the two looked up, they saw a red magic circle in the sky. Its size was far bigger than anything they’d seen before. 

With the emergency announced, Alice pulled even harder on Melissa’s hand. “Let’s hurry!” 

However, Melissa remained motionless, her wide-open eyes fixed on the sky. “Senas Requiem!! Why here?!” She’d heard from Godma what kind of spell this was. After seeing the recording of Alice, he’d gloatingly told her about his plan. When the military attacked his base, he was planning on fighting back with Senas Requiem, using the hearts of the Magicmasters he’d captured to pay the cost. After they attacked the military around them, the encirclement would crumble, and in that opening they’d launch an attack on the Institute to capture Alice. 

That’s right—Alice, who Godma had let go of once, was the real key to completing his research. 

When Godma realized that, he’d smiled ever so happily. In his own words, the past he’d lost was what would lead them to the true future. 

In the next moment, Melissa shifted her focus back to the moment at hand. “The target wasn’t supposed to be the Institute! And I never knew it would be this large... ahh, h-how many children is he using for this...” she muttered incoherently. 

She could see her allies—the other experiments, the ones in the same situation as her—in the magic circle in the sky. As the activation of Senas Requiem required vast amounts of mana, the most important catalyst and the origin of mana, the heart, was needed. 

In other words, the phenomenon in the sky that was created through the lives of a number of experiments was a horrible spell of mass destruction. 

“Why did this happen...?” 

As Melissa was frozen in place, tears dripping down her cheeks, Alice shouted out to her. “We have to hurry and run away! Al’s laboratory is close, so let’s go there!” She pulled on Melissa, forcing her to take two, three steps. 

But in the next moment— 

Alice felt Melissa’s hand grow heavier, and turned around. “... Melissa?” 

Before Melissa knew it, the tears in her eyes had stopped. Instead, the only thing reflected in her eyes was the magic light. It was like her consciousness, and even her soul, had been drained, as every trace of emotion disappeared from her visage. 

Alice didn’t even have the time to be surprised as Melissa grabbed hold of her arm. “That hurts! What’s wrong? Are you all right?” 

Melissa’s head tilted to the side, and her unfocused eyes turned toward Alice. The dried tears had left two lines down her cheeks, like she was wearing a spooky mask. “A...lice...” she said clumsily. 

But her words were covered up by the explosive sounds happening up above them. The powerful spells were beginning to clash. 

Alice cowered at the sight of it, but Melissa stared emotionlessly at her. Her eyes were completely empty now. 

The next moment, an impact shook Alice’s entire body. A mana-enchanted fist struck her abdomen and then the back of her neck, robbing her of her consciousness. 

Without even letting out a groan, Alice started to pass out, the strength leaving her body. As her vision faded, the only thing she saw was Melissa bathed in the golden light from above. 

As she passed out, Alice suddenly recalled the question she never got to ask. 

Why did Melissa leave her... and what was the last thing she had said to her as she left? 

Falling on her knees, Alice lost consciousness. 

Melissa used one hand to easily put Alice on her shoulder. The evacuations were finished and the principal’s mana filled the air. All the eyes of the students and teachers were focused on the light show up in the sky, the clash between the two powerful spells. 

Because of that, no one noticed the intruder quietly carrying Alice away.